Study Sheds Light on Toxicity of Atmospheric Particulate Matter Pollution

Study Sheds Light on Toxicity of Atmospheric Particulate Matter Pollution

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
• Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• Goal 13: Climate Action

Each year, exposure to airborne particulate matter known as PM2.5 (particles with a diameter smaller than 2.5 micrometers) leads to millions of premature deaths worldwide. Organic aerosols are the dominant constituents of PM2.5 in many locations around the world. Historically, the chemical complexity of organic aerosols has made it difficult to gauge their toxicity level.

But a study led by researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology has advanced understanding of both the chemical composition of PM2.5 and the reaction of alveolar cells of the lungs exposed to this pollution, highlighting the growing threat posed to human health.

Published in Environmental Science and Technology, the study shows that oxidized organic aerosols (OOA) are the most toxic type of organic aerosols in PM2.5.

“Oxidized organic aerosols are the most abundant type of organic aerosols worldwide,” said Nga Lee “Sally” Ng, Love Family Professor in Georgia Tech’s School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. “For example, when wildfire smoke reacts in the atmosphere, it generates OOA.”

Measurement Techniques

As the researchers used advanced techniques such as mass spectrometry to analyze the chemical composition of PM2.5 in Atlanta, Georgia, they simultaneously measured the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in alveolar cells resulting from pollution exposure.

ROS are molecules that can cause oxidative stress and damage to our cells, potentially leading to various health problems, including cardiopulmonary diseases.

To understand the mechanisms behind PM2.5-induced oxidative stress, the researchers employed cellular assays, which allowed them to measure both chemically and biologically generated ROS.

The study revealed that highly unsaturated species containing carbon-oxygen double bonds and aromatic rings within OOA are major drivers of cellular ROS production, advancing understanding of the chemical features of ambient organic aerosols that make them toxic.

Wildfires Are Growing Source

As the contribution from fossil-fuel sources to organic aerosols formation has declined in the United States in recent decades due to reduction strategies, the relative importance of other sources has increased, said Fobang Liu, lead author of the study.

“For example, biomass burning is expected to become a more important source of OOA with the increasing trend of wildfires,” added Liu, a former postdoctoral researcher in Ng’s lab at Georgia Tech who is now an associate professor at Xi’an Jiaotong University in China.

Continued Collaboration

According to the researchers, their findings underscore the need for continued collaboration among the fields of atmospheric chemistry, toxicology, epidemiology, and biotechnology to tackle the global air pollution crisis.

“OOA are a surrogate of secondary organic aerosols. Secondary organic aerosols are ubiquitous and abundant in the atmosphere, we need to understand their sources and chemical processing when formulating effective strategies to mitigate PM2.5 health impacts,” said Professor Ng.

“Future work should continue to investigate the health impacts of different PM2.5 components, particularly secondary organic aerosols formed from precursors emitted during incomplete combustion processes of fossil and biomass fuels,” she said.

Different regions may have varying types of organic aerosols due to diverse emission sources and atmospheric conditions. Therefore, long-term measurement of organic aerosol types over a wide range of geographical areas will be important to advance understanding of health impacts, the researchers emphasized.

Such work is being conducted by the Atmospheric Science and Chemistry mEasurement NeTwork (ASCENT), a $12 million advanced aerosol measurement network of 12 sites around the United States that is led by Professor Ng.

Reference: Liu F, Joo T, Ditto JC, et al. Oxidized and unsaturated: Key organic aerosol traits associated with cellular reactive oxygen species production in the southeastern United States. Environ Sci Technol. 2023. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03641

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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
   • Indicator: Number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
   • Indicator: Ambient air pollution levels in cities.

3. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • Indicator: Number of deaths and economic losses attributed to climate-related hazards.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

The article discusses the toxicity of atmospheric particulate matter pollution, specifically PM2.5 (particles with a diameter smaller than 2.5 micrometers). Based on the content, the following SDGs, targets, and indicators can be identified:

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The issue of air pollution and its impact on human health is addressed in this SDG. The article highlights the need to reduce deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air pollution. Target 3.9 specifically aims to substantially reduce these numbers by 2030. The indicator mentioned in the article is the number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

This SDG is connected to the issue of air pollution in urban areas. Target 11.6 focuses on reducing the adverse environmental impact of cities, including air quality. The indicator mentioned in the article is ambient air pollution levels in cities.

3. SDG 13: Climate Action

The article indirectly relates to SDG 13, which aims to address climate-related hazards and natural disasters. While the article does not explicitly mention climate change, it discusses the impact of wildfires on organic aerosols and their toxicity. Target 13.1 aims to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards, and the indicator mentioned is the number of deaths and economic losses attributed to these hazards.

Overall, the article highlights the need to address air pollution, particularly PM2.5, and its impact on human health and the environment. The identified SDGs, targets, and indicators provide a framework for measuring progress and taking action to mitigate the effects of air pollution.

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: technologynetworks.com

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